NOTO’s Celebration of Winter will make the season bright

by Patti Klinge | Nov 29, 2022 | Mid-American

December 2022 …

NOTO’s Celebration of Winter will make the season bright

No one does Christmas fun like Topeka’s NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, and its Celebration of Christmas events are back this year to add some twinkle and a bit of magic to your holiday.

Now that the tree has been lit in Veterans Park, be sure to catch a visit from Santa – he’ll be visiting the district on Dec. 3 at Round Table Book Store, Dec. 10 at Phoenix Finds NOTO, and Dec. 17 at Compass Point.

If you still have a few names to cross off your holiday shopping list, head out to NOTO’s Holiday Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 and 17 in Redbud Park Pavilion. The market is back again this year, offering arts, crafts and gifts from local merchants. Be sure to stop by and buy a unique gift or two you won’t find anywhere else.

For more information about this and other events in the district, visit www.explorenoto.org.

NOTO’s Celebration of Winter

NOTO’s Celebration of Winter will make the season bright

Summit Country Antique Show will be back in January

by Patti Klinge | Nov 29, 2022 | Mid-American

December 2022 …

Summit Country Antique Show will be back in January

The popular Summit Country Antique Show is scheduled to kick off the new year with fine antiques, primitives, and handmade items on Jan. 28 at the Greenwood Vintage Market in Greenwood. Check Facebook for updates.

Contact promoter Richard Brown for vendor information at hectordog1@gmail.com.

Beautiful primitive pieces

Beautiful primitive pieces are some of the treasures to be found at the Summit Country Antique Show. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Leavenworth’s Main Street celebrating Christmas in style

by Patti Klinge | Nov 29, 2022 | Mid-American

December 2022 …

Leavenworth’s Main Street celebrating Christmas in style

The city of Leavenworth will welcome the Christmas holiday with two events designed to encourage the support of small businesses in town.

The first – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – is already well underway, having begun in early November. Going through Dec. 22, shoppers and diners at Main Street businesses and restaurants can win Main Street Bucks in weekly drawings. The more shopping you do at those merchants, the more opportunities you’ll earn to win those coveted bucks, which can be used at those same businesses. Other grand prize drawings will take place throughout until Dec. 22, too.

Another holiday tradition in town this year will be the Reindeer Romp, during which you can pick up maps that will lead you to fun holiday-themed activities, treats, and gifts. Live music, food, and, of course, lots of shopping will be on hand so you can create your own special holiday memories. Reindeer Romp will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 3. Go to 416 S. Cherokee for a map of participating businesses; the event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 913-682-3924 or visit www.leavenworthmainstreet.com.

And to get a glimpse at local history, be sure to take in the town’s Vintage Homes Tour from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11. Sponsored by the Leavenworth County Historical Society and the Carroll Mansion, this year is the 30th anniversary of the event.

Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show glassware

Carroll Mansion in Leavenworth

The Carroll Mansion in Leavenworth will be just one home visitors will tour on Dec. 11 during the 30th Vintage Homes Tour, sponsored by the Leavenworth County Historical Society. (Image courtesy of travelks.com)

Participants will tour the mansion, as well as four other historic homes and a downtown loft. For a donation of only $5, you can receive homemade pumpkin bread and gingerbread. The homes tour will benefit the operations of the Carroll Mansion; tickets are $15 in advance ($20 at the door), and may be purchased at www.leavenworthhistory.org.

Call 913-682-7759 for more information.

Antique Alley has beautiful finds around every corner

by Patti Klinge | Nov 29, 2022 | Mid-American

December 2022 …

Antique Alley has beautiful finds around every corner

Now entering its 12th year, the Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show will ring in the new year once again, Jan. 6-8 at the Conway Expo Center.

Shoppers will marvel at more than 200 booths of antiques and vintage items for sale. In addition, you can help out a good cause by visiting a booth sponsored by the Conway Women’s Shelter, which will be selling pendants made of broken vintage china.

Admission to the event is $10 on Friday, Jan. 6, which is also the show’s early buying day. Regular admission is $5 on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 8. The show will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Parking for the event is free.

For more information, visit www.AntiqueAlleyAR.com.

Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show

Whether it’s something as small as glassware or as large as furniture, the Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show will be stocked full of finds that are just right for your budget. Image courtesy of Facebook

Jesse James Red Tag Sale kicks off on Dec. 26

by Patti Klinge | Nov 29, 2022 | Mid-American

December 2022 …

Jesse James Red Tag Sale kicks off on Dec. 26

..Jesse James Antique Mall and Furniture Gallery and The Rusty Chandelier in St. Joseph will host an end-of-year Red Tag Sale on Dec. 26. In addition to the stores’ already low prices on quality antiques and vintage items, specially marked items will signal even deeper discounts, allowing visitors to save big on home décor and unique gifts.

It’s all done to celebrate another year of serving shoppers’ needs and thanking them for their loyalty to a local small business.

Coming in February – the big St. Joseph Antique Show, Feb. 18 and 19 at the St. Joseph Civic Arena. Dealers or anyone interested may call 816-387-7502; watch the next issue of Discover Vintage America for more details.

To contact the stores, call 816-232-0799 and 816-676-0662 or visit www.jessejamesantiquemall.com and www.rustychandelier.com.

Adorable Cookie Jar

Great finds such as this adorable cookie jar can be found at Jesse James Antique Mall in St. Joseph. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Bella Rustina is your one-stop holiday shopping event

by Patti Klinge | Oct 27, 2022 | Mid-American

November 2022 …

Bella Rustina is your one-stop holiday shopping event

Exhibitors are readying their wares for the next Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, Nov. 18-20 at the Conway Expo Center in Conway.

According to the event’s Facebook page, the holiday version of the market will feature blow molds, ceramic trees, old ornaments, silver trees, upcycled vintage Christmas wreaths and décor, and vintage toys, as well as a few more surprises. More than 325 booths and six food trucks will be on site.

Bella Rustina is presented by Ashley’s Finds LLC; admission to the market’s early buying hours is $10 on Friday, while Saturday and Sunday is $5 for adults, and children 18 and younger are free. For more information, visit www.bellarustina.com.

Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market’s

Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market’s Nov. 18-20 event is sure to have every gift you need for Christmas this year. (image courtesy of Bella Rustina)

Spend Black Friday shopping at Merchant Square Antiques & Boutiques

by Patti Klinge | Oct 27, 2022 | Mid-American

November 2022 …

Spend Black Friday shopping at Merchant Square Antiques & Boutiques

A new antique store in Independence, Merchant Square Antiques and Boutiques, is ready for the holidays with a storewide Black Friday Through Monday Sale, Nov. 25-28.

Merchant, which has been open since late October and has another location in Chandler, AZ, boasts more than 400 vendors throughout its 52,000 square feet of space. Open every day of the week, it’s sure to attract plenty of seasoned shoppers on Tuesdays when seniors receive 10 percent off throughout the entire store.

For more information, visit www.merchantsquareantiques.com or text “Independence” to 77222.

Merchant Square Antiques and Boutiques

Merchant Square Antiques and Boutiques has expanded its operation by adding a location in Independence, MO, which will host its Black Friday Through Monday Sale, Nov. 25-28. (image courtesy of Facebook)

Raise a glass to local history with Vaile’s Champagne and Chandeliers Tour

by Patti Klinge | Oct 27, 2022 | Mid-American

November 2022 …

Raise a glass to local history with Vaile’s Champagne and Chandeliers Tour

The Vaile Mansion in Independence invites you to an evening of high-class history when it hosts its annual Champagne and Chandeliers Tour on Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Built in 1881 by tycoon Henry Vaile, the 21-room mansion is recognized as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the U.S. The stately home will be decorated for the Christmas season.

Those taking the tour will be able to enjoy appetizers and glasses of champagne during the event. Advanced tickets are $25 when purchased on www.eventbrite.com and $35 at the door.

Call the mansion at 816-325-7430 or visit www.vailemansion.org for more information.

Champagne and Chandeliers Tour

The Vaile Mansion in Independence, MO, will host its annual Champagne and Chandeliers Tour on Dec. 3. (image courtesy of Facebook)

Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas in Lindsborg

by Patti Klinge | Oct 27, 2022 | Mid-American

November 2022 …

Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas in Lindsborg

A cherished annual tradition will return to Lindsborg with the arrival of the Saint Lucia Festival on Dec. 10.

The town, nicknamed “Little Sweden’ will mark the Swedish holiday, which centers around a Swedish folklore tale about a white-robed figure with a red sash and green-wreathed head adorned with candles who saved a village from starvation and delivered hope.

Lindsborg’s own festival will include traditional Swedish folk dancing, live music, traditional songs sung both in Swedish and English, and the coronation of the high school’s Saint Lucia. Most events will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church; the festival is sponsored by the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information, call 785-227-8687 or e-mail travelinfo@lindsborgcity.org.

Saint Lucia Festival

The highlight of the annual Saint Lucia Festival in Lindsborg, KS, is the crowning of the high school’s Saint Lucia. This year’s festival takes place Dec. 10. (image courtesy of the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau)

America’s Heartland Collection to shutter its doors at end of 2022

by Patti Klinge | Oct 26, 2022 | Mid-American

November 2022 …

America’s Heartland Collection to shutter its doors at end of 2022

America’s Heartland Collection, a longtime antique store and its auction arm of the business, Brandon Otto Auctioneering, in Spring Hill, will close Dec. 31.

Deb Chester, who has owned the business for 12 years, says her landlord wishes to use the buildings that make up the store and repair space for a different purpose, and Chester has no plans to relocate.

“I’ll miss the public,” Chester says, “but I’m looking forward to having Saturdays and Sundays off.”

Chester says that after the Dec. 31 closure date, vendors will have two weeks in which to clear out their booths; she plans to sell any unclaimed inventory in a garage sale. Chester herself has much more time to clean out the business and prepare it for her landlord, she says.

For now, Chester says she encourages both old and new customers to come by for going-out-of-business deals.

“We’re rewarding our customers who come in and shop by having some sales — 25-50 percent off right now,” Chester says. “I want sellers to sell to the end because it’s the holiday season.”

As for what her own future will bring, Chester says she likely will maintain her “habit of buying and selling things.”

“This will be a big void for Spring Hill, but I live about 15 miles away, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense for me to keep coming,” Chester says. “I may or may not do online (sales). I may or may not do online auctions.”

America’s Heartland Collection is located at 305 S. Webster in Spring Hill. Call 913-592-2400 for more information.

America’s Heartland Collection

America’s Heartland Collection in Spring Hill, KS, has all your fall decorating items and gifts, as well as selling beautiful antique furniture at its weekend auctions, which cease at year’s end. (image courtesy of Facebook)